https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2015/03/20/five-facts-every-home-owner-should-know-about-radon/
This post was last checked and updated in August 2023.
You may not have heard of it, but radon is a part of your life – wherever you live. Read fivefacts home owners should know about radon, including how it can affect your home and your health.
1) Radon is a gas which can seep into our homes
Radon gas is created when natural radioactive uranium slowly decays in the ground under our homes and seeps to the surface. Because of the way we heat and ventilate our homes, some radon gets indoors through the floor. This is where we get most of our radon exposure.
2) In some parts of the country, homes are more likely to have high radon levels
Every building contains radon but the levels are usually low. In some parts of the country homes may have higher levels, and the chances of a higher level depend on the type of ground. For instance, levels may be higher in parts of the country rich in granite, such as Dartmoor in Devon and Cornwall.
3) It’s easy to test your home’s radon levels
Take a look at our radon maps, which are updated every 10 years, and if you live in an area likely to be affected by higher levels of radon, you can get your property tested. Testing is easy. You place a plastic detector about the size of a biscuit in your living room, another in your bedroom and leave them for three months. After that you post them off and your radon level is calculated. If the level is high you can takestepsto reduce radon levels in your home.
4) High radon levels in the home can be reduced
Although high levels of radon at home can be a problem the good news is they can be reduced by simple building works. Many people’s first thought is “how much is this going to cost me?” but there are a few options to choose from, depending on the style of your home and your radon level, ranging from a few pounds to several hundred pounds. Radon solutions include replacing or adding ventilation bricks in outside walls or installing a small pump in the loft that gently blows in air. Most remedies work for years and only need an occasional check. Watch the video below for more information.
5) If you have high levels of radon at home, you shouldtake action
If we breath in high levels of radon over long periods of time this exposure can lead to damage to the sensitive cells of our lungs which increases the risk of lung cancer. Radon causes about 1,000 lung cancer deaths in the UK every year. We also know that the combined risks of smoking and high radon exposure can really make a major difference to your chances of developing lung cancer. That’s why if you’ve got high radon at home and you smoke, it’s important you do something about it. Watch the video below to find our more about how radon can affect you.
More information about Radon:
FAQs
The main source of indoor radon is radon gas infiltration from soil into buildings. Rock and soil produce radon gas. Building materials, the water supply, and natural gas can all be sources of radon in the home.
What are 5 facts about radon? ›
Here are a few facts about radon, and what you can do to help keep your family healthy and safe.
- Radon is radioactive. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas. ...
- Radon causes cancer. ...
- No immediate symptoms. ...
- You must test for radon. ...
- Radon is present indoors and outdoors. ...
- Radon can build up in any building.
The main source of indoor radon is radon gas infiltration from soil into buildings. Rock and soil produce radon gas. Building materials, the water supply, and natural gas can all be sources of radon in the home.
What is the basic information about radon? ›
Radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, and radioactive gas that originates from the ground. Radon is formed through a naturally occurring process of radioactive decay. Uranium found in the earth's rock and soil decays into radon. Because it is a gas, radon can move into water or air.
How to decrease radon levels in home? ›
Increasing ventilation and sealing major entry routes can also help reduce radon levels, but their effectiveness will be limited depending on how high the radon level is and the unique characteristics of each home.
What are 5 properties of radon? ›
Interactive Periodic Table of the Elements
| atomic number | 86 |
|---|
| melting point | −71 °C (−96 °F) |
| boiling point | −62 °C (−80 °F) |
| density (1 atm, 0 °C [32 °F]) | 9.73 g/litre (0.13 ounce/gallon) |
| oxidation states | 0, +2 |
2 more rowsJul 4, 2024
A process called Radon hormesis is used to mitigate auto-immune diseases like arthritis. It is used in the treatment of cell damage and cancer. Radon is also used in radiation therapy.
What does radon do to you? ›
Radon gas decays into radioactive particles that can get trapped in your lungs when you breathe. As they break down further, these particles release small bursts of energy. This can damage lung tissue and lead to lung cancer over the course of your lifetime.
What causes radon in a home? ›
It comes from the natural decay of uranium that is found in nearly all soils. It typically moves up through the ground to the air above and into your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation. Your home traps radon inside, where it can build up. Any home may have a radon problem.
What is special about radon? ›
It is dense — the heaviest known gas — and it is considered a health hazard due to its radioactivity.. Radon is rare in nature because its isotopes are so short-lived and because its main source radium is also quite rare, according to Encyclopaedia Britannica.
A: The most important type of air filter to reduce radon levels is an activated carbon filter. Carbon, which is often referred to as “charcoal,” is a substance that has a long history of being used to remove chemical impurities. Levoit has a 3 phase filter, one of those phases being a carbon filter...
How do I get rid of radon naturally? ›
In some cases, radon levels can be lowered by ventilating the crawlspace passively, or actively, with the use of a fan. Crawlspace ventilation may lower indoor radon levels both by reducing the home's suction on the soil and by diluting the radon beneath the home.
What is the best radon mitigation system? ›
Active subslab suction — also called subslab depressurization — is the most common and usually the most reliable radon reduction method. One or more suction pipes are inserted through the floor slab into the crushed rock or soil underneath. They also may be inserted below the concrete slab from outside the home.
What makes radon worse? ›
On average, radon levels are the highest in the colder months, or the heating season. Radon levels are naturally affected by the changing seasons, atmospheric pressure, and precipitation throughout the year.
How many people has radon killed? ›
Overall, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Radon is responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year. About 2,900 of these deaths occur among people who have never smoked.
